TENSION REMAINS IN BERLIN

Chronicle (Levin), 8 September 1948, Page 5

TENSION REMAINS IN BERLIN

(N.Z.P.A.-

-Reuter.

.— -r rr-j-Arrest Of Western Sector Police Viewed Gravely 1

Copyright)

Received Wednesday, 9.25 a.m. LONDON, September 7. Tension still exists in Berlin over the arrest of' Western sector policemen at the City Hall, and a grave view is being taken of this incident and yesterday's Communist demonstration in official Western quarters. A British Foreign Office spokesman, commenting on the latest developments in Berlin, said: " I need hardly emphasise the seriousness with which London regards the deterioration in Berlin resulting from the demonstrations organised by' a party which polled only 20 per cent. of the votes in the last Berlin City eleetions." The spokesman would not comment when asked if any action was contemplated.

In Berlin today, Soviet seetor police lieadquarters announced that 24 Western sector police were arrested in or near the City Hall yesterday. A spokesman said that when the cross-examination of the men is concluded, a decision will be taken on the charges to be laid against them. Reuter's Berlin correspondent says that during the night the deputy police chief in the Soviet sector ealled at the City Hall to demand that the rest of the western sector police be handed over, but he was told to get ont of the American room. The Soviet-appo'inted police president, Mark Graf. wearing civilian clothes, made an inspection tour of the besieged hall during yesterday afternoon. The Western sector police president, Dr. Johannes Stumin, this morning demanded the immediate release of the Western sector policemen, as well as numbers of Western sector civilians detained at the same time. The three Western commandants adjourned their meeting to report to the Military Governors on the steps to be taken to seeure the release of tlrose heid in the City Hall. A senior American Military Government ofllcial said that any settlemcnt of the City Hall deadlock could not be expected until late today at the earliest. He said the Americans partly blamed the Deputy Mayor, Dr. Ferdinand Friedensburg, who introduced the Western sector police into the Russian sector, knowing that the Western Military Governments would not be able to afford them proper protection. ' 1 • Meanwhile, an unidentified telephone caller has threatened death to Major Mrazovitch, .French liaison officer in Berlin's City Hall, who was one of those trying to protect the Western sector policemen. The voice said: "We will deliver shortly the coffin you ordered." Major Mrazovitch protested that he had not ordered one. The caller replied: "You will need." The Communist leader, Herr Karl Litke, today denied that the Socialist Unity Party intended setting up a separate city administration in the Soviet sector. The party did not want to break up the present administration, he said, and iioped that the next meeting would be held in the City Hall.